Yellowstone and Island Park

September 27th, 2011 --

Devil's Tower and the center of the U.S.

September 26, 2011 --

The Badlands of South Dakota

September 25, 2011 --

Mount Rushmore

September 25, 2011 --

Independence Rock, Wyoming

September 24, 2011 --

American Fork Canyon - Silver Lake

September 23, 2011 -- Had a great adventure with the family as we all explored the alpine off road trails about Silver Lake high in American Fork Canyon.

 The leaves were amazing and the weather was perfect.  For more about the area visit utahhikinginfo.com

Ogden Weber Parkway

September 6, 2011 -- My wife and I have wanted to bike the entire Ogden/Weber Parkway all summer and finally we slipped away with the Grandpa and Grandma watching the kids and notched this one off our to-do list.

The Ogden portion of the parkway meanders through the King Fisher Aviary and has some impressive wetlands with a couple of blinds if you want to stop and catch a glimpse of the wildlife.

The trail then connects with the entrance to Fort Buenaventura Park.

Ogden is a historic railroad town and there it's pretty cool to cross the tracks and bridges that still connect the city and railroad.

Many are recognizing Ogden as a recreational hub and the Kayak park is one neat  place along the trail.

While cattle are actually quite removed from the trail the reminders of the old stock yards keep enthusiast curious.

Another scenic bridge crossing.

 The 21st Street Pond is a quite place along the trail. It's hard to know how long that will last as it is now Goode Ski Lake.

With a couple more bends of the trail your in the heart of Ogden and cross under the historic sign. 

Lorrin Farr Park is adjacent to the Rodeo Stadium and has a swimming pool and skate park. Ogden city has worked hard to keep it nice and we'll need to take the kids there on another day of adventure. 

A highlight of the trail is the MTC Learning Park and rose gardens. The flowers were beautiful even in early September and its a quite spot in the middle of the city.

Just past the MTC you reach Big Dee Sports Park and then...

The Eccles Dinosaur Park.  We've had a blast with kids at this great dinosaur museum.

The trail ends where the next adventures begin. The mouth of Ogden Canyon.  Rainbow Gardens and the Bonneville Shoreline are just steps away. 

Frary Peak, Antelope Island

 

September 3, 2011 -- Frary Peak is the tallest peak on Antelope Island and delivers a commanding view of North Salt Lake and Davis and Weber Counties. The hike is an absolute must if you are looking for an exposed hike on an island in the middle of dead lake that will challenge you.

The hike itself is 6.8 miles roundtrip and attracts the moderate to difficult hiker.

 From the trailhead is its a quick ascent, traversing grassland where the buffalo roam.

 You are rewarded quite quickly with great views and luckily the sun wasn't too hot yet.

 We could see a herd of buffalo below.

A group of mountain sheep. They just were too skiddish to stick around and quickly made it over the ridge as we climbed higher.

 Hiking the ridgeline on the final ascent.

 Looking back across the ridgeline just hiked. The only real shade was at the summit where Juniper trees grow.

Just a photo to prove I actually snagged another peak.
It was a great hike with my dad with only the company of a herd of mountain sheep to keep us company most of the day. In all, it’s a great way to spend 4 to 5 hours if you have them!